Getting Smart Podcast

Getting Smart Podcast

Getting Smart

The Getting Smart Podcast covers topics in K-12, …

24 minutes 3 seconds

What Does it Take to Make a Great Microschool Leader?
In this engaging episode of the Getting Smart podcast, hosts Jordan Luster and Victoria Andrews dive into the world of micro schools with Coi Morefield, the innovative founder of the Lab School of Memphis. Morefield introduces Microschool Masters, a groundbreaking platform designed to address the unique challenges of microschool education by transforming teaching teams into exceptional educators and leaders. With a focus on adult learning, Morefield emphasizes the importance of mindset shifts and sustainable practices to retain educators and decrease costly turnover. The conversation highlights how microschools, with their small, personalized settings, require a distinct approach to teacher training and professional development compared to traditional models. Morefield shares how her platform is akin to MasterClass, offering high-quality, digestible courses that not only cover essential educational strategies but also critical areas like compliance and governance. This episode is a must-listen for those interested in the future of education and the transformative potential of microschools.

Outline
- (00:00) Revolutionizing Education at SXSW EDU 2025
- (01:06) Introduction to the Getting Smart Podcast
- (02:31) The Vision for Adult Learning in Micro Schools
- (03:50) Challenges and Solutions in Micro School Education
- (08:32) Building Community and Ensuring Compliance
Links
29 January 2025, 7:30 am
39 minutes 2 seconds

Town Hall: What’s Next in Learning 2025

The recent "What’s Next in Learning 2025" Town Hall highlighted pivotal trends poised to redefine education, emphasizing the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI), governance shifts, and literacy. AI is revolutionizing classrooms by offering personalized learning experiences but also posing challenges such as plagiarism and ethical use. The discussion underscored the need for thoughtful governance and equitable access to these technologies. Additionally, the shift from federal to localized governance offers opportunities to innovate educational goals, like Portraits of Graduates, and address declining public school enrollments with alternative models like micro-schools. Literacy, encompassing reading, media, and civic literacy, remains crucial in preparing students for an information-rich world, fostering critical thinking, and active citizenship. These trends align with Getting Smart's mission to provide challenging, purposeful, and joyful learning experiences, encouraging educators to embrace innovations in teaching and learning.

24 January 2025, 7:30 am
32 minutes 17 seconds

Brad Leon on the BlueSky Institute and Radical Pathways at the Intersection of Health and Technology
In this episode, Shawnee Caruthers explores the innovative approach of the Blue Sky Institute to redefining healthcare education through its partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University. This initiative addresses workforce shortages by offering accelerated pathways that integrate technology with hands-on experience, preparing students for leadership roles in the healthcare industry. Brad Leon, the Blue Sky Institute's executive director, shares how this model ensures students graduate debt-free and fully equipped to meet the demands of the modern workforce.

The conversation highlights the importance of experiential learning, with programs like the Game Design Challenge inspiring students to pursue careers in technology. Through the Accelerate Ed initiative, Blue Sky transforms educational practices and impacts communities by providing long-term benefits through early access to higher education and work-connected learning. This partnership exemplifies how bridging education with industry needs can empower students and create a sustainable talent pipeline for the future.

Outline
- (00:00) Welcome to SXSW EDU 2025
- (01:10) Introduction to the Blue Sky Institute
- (03:07) Challenges and Solutions in Healthcare Education
- (05:46) The Blue Sky Institute's Unique Approach
- (10:48) Student and Community Engagement
- (15:18) Future Prospects and Advice
Links
22 January 2025, 7:30 am
23 minutes 3 seconds

Dr. Bo Stjerne Thomsen on The Future of LEGO Education
In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, we explore LEGOs exciting new venture into science education with their latest K-8 curriculum. Tom Vander Ark chats with Bo Stjerne Thomsen, head of LEGO Education, about how this innovative, inquiry-based learning approach is set to transform classrooms by integrating hands-on science experiences aligned with NGSS standards. Designed to reignite students' curiosity and creativity, these engaging kits are perfect for fostering critical thinking and collaboration. Join us as we delve into how LEGO's playful learning strategies can make science fun and accessible, ensuring that every child can experience the joy of discovery and learning. Listen in to find out how these resources are reshaping the educational landscape for both traditional and micro-schools.

Outline
Links
17 January 2025, 7:30 am
31 minutes 33 seconds

Dannyelle Austin and Lisa Richardson On Catalayze: A Career-Connected Commnuity of Practice
In today's episode, we're diving into the transformative world of career-connected learning with two pioneers leading the charge. Joining us are Dannyelle Austin, the executive director at Launchpad, and Lisa Richardson, the project lead of Catalyze. Catalyze is dedicated to reshaping how students interact with potential career pathways by fostering a community of practice that connects educational innovation with real-world career opportunities. Since its inception, it has awarded over $14 million to numerous organizations, impacting over 65,000 students nationwide. This initiative empowers students by enhancing their agency and readiness for future careers, particularly in tech, through innovative programs like Launchpad.

Outline
Links
15 January 2025, 7:30 am
30 minutes 47 seconds

Dennis “Doc” Littky on Expanding The Vision: College Unbound
In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark sits down with Dennis "Doc" Littky, an educational innovator whose work with Big Picture Learning and College Unbound is reshaping the landscape of personalized and experiential education. From the inception of Big Picture Learning, which challenges conventional schooling with its "leaving to learn" model, to the founding of College Unbound, a transformative institution serving adult learners, Littky shares his journey and insights. He discusses the importance of making education relevant and personalized, with each student following their unique path. Tune in to discover how Littky's visionary approach is influencing schools worldwide and paving new pathways for students of all ages.

Outline
Links
8 January 2025, 7:30 am
29 minutes 37 seconds

Adam Kulaas on Tacoma Public Schools Being a City-Connected, Career-Connected District
In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark delves into the innovative educational approaches of Tacoma Public Schools, highlighting their commitment to integrating college and career readiness into a unified pathway. Partnering with Tacoma, Tom speaks with Adam Kulaas, Director of Innovative Learning, who shares insights on how the district is empowering students for life readiness. The focus is on engaging learners in meaningful work today while preparing them for future opportunities through practical, real-world applications. This approach is not just about bridging the gap between education and industry but fostering a mindset that values both the "now" and "next" stages of a student's journey.

The conversation also explores Tacoma's strategic partnerships and the diverse pathways available to students, such as the Jobs 253 program and dual-credit opportunities. These partnerships, including collaborations with local industries and educational institutions, are key to providing students with hands-on experiences and credentials that are relevant to the current job market. Tacoma's approach embodies an asset-based model of education, where existing resources are leveraged to create robust, personalized learning experiences. This episode serves as an inspiring example of how intentional pathways can transform education, ensuring all students have access to high-wage employment and lifelong learning opportunities.

Outline
Links:
18 December 2024, 7:30 am
37 minutes 57 seconds

Jennifer Purcell on Future Ready Oregon and a Future Ready Workforce
In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark delves into the intricacies of workforce development and public leadership with Jennifer Purcell, the director of Future Ready Oregon. This state-level initiative represents a groundbreaking approach to aligning education and workforce systems, with a strong emphasis on equity and access. Jennifer shares insights into how Future Ready Oregon has successfully secured over $200 million in funding to support diverse learners and workers, creating pathways that connect education and high-demand career opportunities. The conversation highlights innovative programs like Workforce Navigators, which address broader needs such as transportation and childcare, ensuring equitable access to education and training.

Outline
Links
11 December 2024, 7:30 am
32 minutes 21 seconds

Laura Slover and Mike Flanagan on Skills for the Future
In this episode of the Getting Smart podcast, Tom Vander Ark is in conversation with Laura Slover and Mike Flanagan, focusing on the transformative initiatives in education being spearheaded by ETS and the Mastery Transcript Consortium (MTC). The discussion gets into the Skills for the Future initiative, emphasizing the shift from traditional education models towards competency-based education that aligns with the demands of a rapidly evolving workforce. This initiative, a collaboration between ETS and the Carnegie Foundation, seeks to broaden educational goals beyond conventional academics to include essential skills like communication, critical thinking, and civic engagement. By embedding innovative assessment tools in several states, the program aims to capture authentic evidence of student learning both in and out of the classroom, thus preparing students more effectively for future challenges.

Outline
Links
4 December 2024, 7:30 am
32 minutes 43 seconds

Competency-Based Education on the Getting Smart Podcast
In the podcast episode featuring Laurie Gagnon, the focus is on the transformative potential of Competency-Based Education (CBE) in reshaping K-12 learning environments. Laurie discusses how CBE moves away from traditional seat-time-based models, emphasizing mastery of skills and knowledge at an individualized pace. This approach not only personalizes learning but also aligns with the Aurora Institute's vision of equitable education. By centering on explicit, measurable learning objectives, CBE empowers students to take charge of their educational journeys, promoting a deeper, more engaged form of learning. Laurie highlights examples of districts successfully implementing CBE, showcasing practical applications and the systemic changes required to support this educational model.

Outline
- (00:00) Introduction and Guest Welcome
- (00:31) Understanding Competency-Based Education
- (04:16) Visualizing Competency-Based Education
- (07:54) Real-World Examples of CBE in Action
- (20:07) Addressing Equity and Future Directions
Links:
27 November 2024, 7:30 am
33 minutes 13 seconds

Danny Martin on Esposure
In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Victoria Andrews takes us into the transformative world of eSports alongside Danny Martin, co-founder and CEO of eSposure. With eSports growing into a $250 billion industry, it's more than just competitive gaming; it's a thriving ecosystem that fosters community, teaches valuable workforce skills, and opens pathways to entrepreneurship. Victoria shares how eSports has redefined the way students engage with education, offering opportunities for personal and professional growth. Danny talks about how programs like eSposure are bridging gaps, particularly for economically disadvantaged communities, by integrating technology and innovation into learning experiences.

Outline

(00:00) Introduction to Project Lead the Way

(00:40) Discovering the World of eSports

(03:29) The Community and Industry of eSports

(09:03) Entrepreneurship and Education in eSports

(17:55) Future of eSports and AI Integration

Links
20 November 2024, 7:30 am
More Episodes? Get the App

About Getting Smart Podcast

Links

Listeners Also Subscribed To

Your feedback is valuable to us. Should you encounter any bugs, glitches, lack of functionality or other problems, please email us on [email protected] or join Moon.FM Telegram Group where you can talk directly to the dev team who are happy to answer any queries.